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Takaichi Dissolves Lower House, Calls Feb. 8 Snap Election to Seek Mandate

The vote will test her narrow ruling majority against a newly consolidated opposition.

Overview

  • Takaichi said she will dissolve the House of Representatives on January 23 at the opening of the Diet session.
  • Voting is scheduled for February 8, with the official campaign period to begin on January 27, according to Kyodo and ruling-party officials.
  • She framed the election as a direct judgment on her leadership, saying she is staking her position as prime minister on the result.
  • Her campaign platform includes a two-year suspension of the 8% consumption tax on food alongside broader pro-growth spending plans.
  • The snap poll will decide all 465 lower-house seats, with the LDP–JIP coalition facing the newly formed Centrist Reform Alliance amid a fragile legislative balance.